JFIVX vs. DFSTX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

JFIVX (John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust) and DFSTX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio) are both mutual funds - JFIVX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by John Hancock, while DFSTX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, JFIVX returned 12.37%/yr vs 9.16%/yr for DFSTX. Their 0.79 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. JFIVX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for DFSTX.

Performance

JFIVX vs. DFSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust (JFIVX) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JFIVX achieves a 9.15% return, which is significantly lower than DFSTX's 17.76% return.

JFIVX

• 1D: 1.66%
• 1M: -0.59%
• 6M: 7.62%
• YTD: 9.15%
• 1Y: 20.30%
• 3Y*: 18.67%
• 5Y*: 12.37%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.57%

DFSTX

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: -0.47%
• 6M: 11.70%
• YTD: 17.76%
• 1Y: 29.40%
• 3Y*: 13.92%
• 5Y*: 9.16%
• 10Y*: 10.82%
• ALL TIME*: 10.49%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
JFIVX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

JFIVX vs. DFSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JFIVX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust	9.15%	17.54%	24.61%	25.92%	-18.30%	28.31%	18.03%	31.05%	-5.00%	17.27%
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio	17.76%	8.07%	11.50%	17.66%	-13.50%	30.50%	11.19%	21.78%	-13.20%	11.19%

Correlation

The correlation between JFIVX and DFSTX is 0.73, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.79

The correlation between JFIVX and DFSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JFIVX vs. DFSTX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

JFIVX

JFIVX Risk / Return Rank: 60
JFIVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
JFIVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
JFIVX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
JFIVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
JFIVX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

DFSTX

DFSTX Risk / Return Rank: 74
DFSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
DFSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
DFSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
DFSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
DFSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

JFIVX vs. DFSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust (JFIVX) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	JFIVX	DFSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	1.57	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.98	2.35	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.27	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	2.85	-0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.74	9.79	-1.04

JFIVX vs. DFSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JFIVX Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is comparable to the DFSTX Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JFIVX and DFSTX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

JFIVX vs. DFSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JFIVX drawdown since its inception was -33.81%, smaller than the maximum DFSTX drawdown of -60.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JFIVX and DFSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JFIVX	DFSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.81%	-60.99%	+27.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-9.16%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.82%	-25.91%	+7.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.67%	-25.91%	+1.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.16%	-1.67%	-0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.58%	-8.73%	+4.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	2.68%	-0.60%

Volatility

JFIVX vs. DFSTX - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust (JFIVX) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) have volatilities of 3.44% and 3.49%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JFIVX	DFSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.44%	3.49%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.06%	11.59%	-1.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.91%	16.68%	-3.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.67%	20.43%	-3.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.28%	22.01%	-3.73%

JFIVX vs. DFSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JFIVX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than DFSTX's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

JFIVX vs. DFSTX - Dividend Comparison

JFIVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.34%, more than DFSTX's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio	0.97%	1.08%	1.05%	2.45%	5.18%	6.39%	1.08%	3.30%	5.16%	4.56%	3.10%	5.90%
JFIVX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust	2.34%	2.56%	2.19%	2.44%	5.19%	5.17%	3.38%	2.97%	2.90%	1.27%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JFIVX and DFSTX in my portfolio?

JFIVX and DFSTX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JFIVX or DFSTX?

DFSTX has higher volatility (3.49%) compared to JFIVX (3.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JFIVX dropped -33.81% vs DFSTX's -60.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.41), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.